So, the kitchen’s done. Or close enough – I’ve got one more door to buy from IKEA. Other than that, it’s done. So the big question: where’d the money go?

$82 – demo tools (nail puller, crowbar, floor scraper)
$4,530 – Cabinets, dishwasher, microwave, sink, faucet, countertops (all IKEA).
$129 – delivery of all of the above
$6,209 – contractor for wall demo, electrical, plumbing, and sheetrock (came out odd because he provided undercabinet lights for me). Also includes some non-kitchen stuff that I didn’t separate out- front porch ruffle removal, outlet in studio, front light, living room ceiling light.
$462 – floor refinishing
$115 – garbage disposal
$255 – tile and associated supplies
$212 – paint, tape, caulk, misc.
$80 – light fixture
$40 – trash/recycling cans
————–
$12,114 – Total cost of Jill’s kitchen.

Things that cost more than I originally budgeted:
The cabinets – I was thinking of going with the Stat look from IKEA, which is a lot cheaper than Lidingo. But Stat was just too country for my house, so I chose Lidingo.
Floor refinishing – I’d been calculating based on how much the rest of my house cost – but they had to do a lot more work on the kitchen since it was covered in linoleum adhesive, and we used the dustless system because it was open to the rest of the house.
Tile – I hadn’t budgeted for tile at all – I wasn’t sure I was going to do it, and then it just kind of happened.

The countertops were my saving moment – I had no idea how much they might cost, and when I started to get quotes of nearly $1,000 for laminate, I backed up and rethought, which gained me my amazing farmhouse sink, while getting rid of that 11′ long span on the front wall. And then I decided that laminate from IKEA would do just fine, and it turned out pretty great.

So that’s where my money went into the kitchen – feel free to ask if you want more details. In the end? Worth every penny.